Fairy Godmothers

Fairy Godmothers

Cinderella’s Closet makes prom dreams come true

BY JEN CALHOUN

When Cinderella needed a dress for the ball, her very own fairy godmother swooped down and made it happen with a flourish of her magic wand.

Courtney Benefield doesn’t have a wand — magic or otherwise. But the Glasgow Middle School counselor does have some good friends, energy and a heart for helping children in need. So, in 2014, she started Cinderella’s Closet of South Central Kentucky.

The organization is a local offshoot of a national program that provides new and gently used formal dresses and accessories — free of charge — to young women who might not otherwise be able to attend their proms.

Cinderella’s Closet got its start in 2006 as a ministry at Immanuel United Methodist Church in the northern Kentucky town of Lakeside Park. Now, there are nearly 20 Cinderella’s Closets as far west as Kansas and as far east as Wilmington, North Carolina.

Volunteers help each student through the process of choosing her formal gown, shoes and accessories.

BRINGING IT HOME

Benefield first heard about the organization when the Central Kentucky chapter in Frankfort threw an event in 2013. She decided to volunteer alongside her mother, Julie Edwards, and two friends. The next year, she helped found the South Central Kentucky chapter, which primarily serves girls in Barren, Warren, Allen, Metcalfe, Monroe, Hart and Green counties.

“We just worked really hard to bring it here,” Benefield says. “We knew we had such a need for something like this, and kids have a special place in my heart.”

HOW IT WORKS

Each year, girls in the region are referred to the program by schools, churches and social work organizations. From there, the girls are asked to complete a short application and pick the best time for their appointment on the day of the event. This year’s event is on Saturday, March 9, at First United Methodist Church in Glasgow. It is not open to the general public, and an appointment is required.

On the day of the event, each girl shows up for her appointment and is helped by her very own “Fairy Godmother” — a volunteer who helps her find a dress, shoes and other accessories for the big night.

“That way, we’re not loaded down with a bunch of girls at one time,” Benefield says. “It also makes their day a little more

special.” A seamstress is also on hand to offer any alterations a dress might need, so the girls won’t have to worry about getting the perfect fit.

Last year, the South Central Kentucky Cinderella’s Closet event helped nearly 40 girls in the region find prom dresses and accessories. This year, Benefield hopes to help even more. “Every year it grows a little bit,” she says. “I really hope this year we can open it up to nearly double the girls. We usually have plenty of dresses.”

Many of the dresses are donated by individuals and dress shops. Monetary donations also help buy new dresses, shoes and accessories. Benefield says two Glasgow businesses, Michelle’s Consignment Boutique and Greer’s Florist, which is owned by Edwards, always help out with donations of new and used dresses, shoes and accessories.

The end result is a day of happy tears. “The big thing about Cinderella’s Closet isn’t really the dress,” Benefield says. “It’s about making the girls feel worthwhile and showing them God’s love.”

GIVING THE GLAM

With donations of new and gently used formal dresses and accessories, Cinderella’s Closet of South Central Kentucky helps girls who could not otherwise afford to attend their proms. Local juniors and seniors are referred to Cinderella’s Closet through their school, community organizations and social care agencies.

For more information, or to help out, email cinderellascloset@glasgow-ky.com or sckycinderellascloset@gmail.com or check out their Facebook page at Cinderella’s Closet South Central Kentucky.